National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA November 2004

Communication for the Information Technology Age NASA unveils its newest, most powerful supercomputer NASA’s newest supercomputer, meet its mission goals and the Vision for code used to achieve this result was ‘Columbia,’ has been named one of the Space Exploration. conceived and developed in that same world’s most powerful production Named to honor the crew of the time frame, and is much more straight- supercomputers by the TOP500 Project space shuttle Columbia lost Feb. 1, 2003, forward than the traditional approach. at SC2004, the International Conference the new supercomputer is comprised of Our simplified implementation, allowed an integrated cluster of 20 intercon- by shared memory systems like the SGI nected SGI® Altix® 512-processor sys- Altix, translates directly into improved tems, for a total of 10,240 Intel® effectiveness for users of our systems." The almost instant produc- tivity of the Columbia supercomputer architecture and technology has made the system available to a broad spectrum NASA’s new supercomputer ‘Columbia’ was of NASA-spon-

installed at Ames in less than 120 days. NASA photos by Tom Trower sored scientists. Feedback from scientists is ex- of High Performance Computing, Net- tremely positive. working and Storage in Pittsburg. "The Colum- Columbia, which achieved a bench- bia system is a mark rating of 51.9 teraflops on 10,240 Left to right: Walt Brooks, NAS division chief; Ronnie Kenneth, CEO, Voltaire; tremendous de- processors, is ranked second on the Ghassem Asrar, NASA HQ; Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard; Richard velopment for TOP500 List, just behind Blue Gene, Dracott, Intel; and Bob Bishop, CEO SGI, display recognition plaques NASA and the IBM’s supercomputer to be installed at presented to them by Brooks. nation. Simula- the Department of Energy's Lawrence tion of the evolu- Livermore National Laboratory. Itanium® 2 processors. Columbia builds tion of the Earth and planetary ecosys- "Large, integrated simulation envi- upon the highly successful collabora- tems with high fidelity has been beyond ronments like those we have at Ames tion between NASA, Silicon Graphics the reach of Earth scientists for decades," are crucial to NASA’s missions, and Co- Inc. (SGI) and Intel Corporation that NASA's Deputy Associate Administra- lumbia has provided a breakthrough developed the world's first 512-proces- tor of the Science Mission Directorate increase in our computational power," sor Linux server. That server, the SGI® Ghassem Asrar said. "With Columbia, said Ames Center Director G. Scott Altix® located at Ames, was named scientists are already seeing dramatic Hubbard. "A high rating on the TOP500 ‘Kalpana,’ after Columbia astronaut and improvements in the fidelity of simula- list is an impressive achievement, but Ames' alumna Kalpana Chawla. tions in such areas as global ocean circu- for NASA, the immediate availability to NASA unveiled its newest lation, prediction of large-scale struc- analyze important issues like ‘Return to supercomputer during a ribbon-cutting tures in the universe and the physics of Flight’ for the space shuttle, space sci- ceremony Oct. 26 at Ames. Columbia supernova detonations," he said. ence, Earth modeling and aerospace was built and installed at the NASA "This amazing new supercomputer vehicle design for exploration, is the Advanced Supercomputing facility at system dramatically increases NASA's true measure of success." Ames in less than 120 days. capabilities and revolutionizes our ca- "Columbia allows NASA to perform Within days of completion of the pacity for conducting scientific research numerical simulations at the cutting supercomputer’s installation, Columbia and engineering design," Hubbard said. edge of science and engineering," said achieved a Linpack benchmark rating "It will be one of the fastest, largest and Walt Brooks, chief of the NASA Ad- of 42.7 teraflops on just 16 nodes with an most productive supercomputers in the vanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division 88 percent efficiency rating, exceeding world, providing an estimated 10-fold at Ames. "As the largest example of an the previously best-reported perfor- increase in NASA's supercomputing ca- important, high-end computing archi- mance by a significant margin. This was pacity. It is already having a major im- tecture developed in the U.S., part of followed almost immediately by the 51.7 pact on NASA's science, aeronautics and this system will be available to the teraflop rating reported Nov. 8 for the exploration programs, in addition to nation’s best research teams. The swift entire system. playing a critical role in preparing the design and deployment of Columbia "What is most noteworthy is that space shuttle for return to safe flight next has redefined the concept of we were able to post such a significant year," Hubbard said. supercomputer development." and efficient Linpack result in such a "With SGI and Intel, we set out to With Columbia at its core, said short time," said Bob Ciotti, chief sys- revitalize NASA's computing capabili- Brooks, the NAS facility provides an tems engineer for the Columbia instal- ties, and the Columbia system has done integrated computing, visualization and lation project. "Not only was the system so in a spectacular way," said Brooks. data storage environment to help NASA deployed in less than 120 days, but the continued on page 2 amesnews.arc.nasa.gov ‘See inside for special NASA Ames 65th Anniversary insert’ Immune system inspires machine-software fault detector Using the human immune system ture can then be used to identify future is still in the research phase. Later, scien- as an inspiration, scientists at NASA occurrences of similar faults. Similarly, tists hope to modify it so it will work as Ames are developing software to find the biological immune system quickly stand-alone software. faults in complex machines. recognizes diseases to which it has been In the near future, when engineers The software 'tool' - called an algo- exposed previously or has been 'immu- use MILD software on another machine, rithm, or mathematical recipe - looks for nized' to some known diseases," they will need to set up the software so abnormalities in a machine's hardware Krishnakumar said. it will monitor data from that machine. and software. The mathematical recipe, "Another advantage of using the "However, we now are enhancing the which engineers may well someday put immune system as an inspiration is that MILD software 'tool' so it can more eas- we can program the MILD software tool ily be used for other machines," to recognize known faults that occur in Krishnakumar said. "Eventually, engi- a machine. Similarly, a biological im- neers could use MILD algorithms in any mune system recognizes diseases to kind of software and hardware in ma- which it has been exposed," chine environments -- from machines in Krishnakumar said. a shop to flying airplanes and space- So far, scientists have tested the craft," Krishnakumar ventured. MILD software in a C-17 aircraft flight "We expect future machines to have simulator at NASA Ames to collect nor- their own immune systems so that they mal and simulated airplane failures. "We could be used for long-duration space used the aircraft simulator as a proof-of- missions, or any other use where techni- concept experiment to test how well cal support would be limited," the MILD algorithm worked," Krishnakumar said. Krishnakumar explained. The software BY JOHN BLUCK NASA unveils powerful supercomputer continued from front page "Not only were scientists doing real Earth new age in scientific discovery, and in spacecraft as well as other complex and space analysis during the system based on NASA's initial success, it seems systems, is part of the Multi-level Im- build, but within days of the full instal- likely that we'll be discussing new scien- mune Learning Detection (MILD) soft- lation, we achieved a Linpack bench- tific breakthroughs in the very near fu- ware 'tool,' under development at NASA mark rating of 42.7 teraflops on 16 nodes ture," he said. Ames in the Computational Sciences with an 88 percent efficiency rating, ex- "The launching of the Columbia sys- Division, Code TC. ceeding the current best reported num- tem shows what's possible when gov- "The human immune system doesn't try to identify what is good, only what is Walt Brooks (left) chats bad," said MILD principle investigator with NASA Administrator Kalmanje Krishnakumar, a scientist at Sean O’Keefe (second Ames. "Similarly, MILD software only from left) and Chief of tries to identify what is bad, and that's Staff John Schumacher one of the main ideas behind MILD, which is similar to biological immune (third from left) while systems," Krishnakumar said. Co-inves- Ames Center Director G. tigator on the MILD project is Dipankar Scott Hubbard (third from Dasgupta of the University of Memphis, right) and other guests Tenn., who is spending a year as a visit- look on. ing faculty member at NASA Ames. "You can have identical MILD soft- ware recipes distributed throughout the machine that look at different potential abnormalities," Krishnakumar ex- plained. "Typically, a problem will show up in more than one place in a machine, and comparisons of different parts of NASA photo by Tom Trower the machine help us to more accurately identify problems early," he added. MILD uses data from sensors in ber by a significant margin," he said. ernment and technology leaders work machines to find patterns of system faults "With the completion of the Colum- together toward a goal of truly national and damage to clarify if systems are bia system, NASA, SGI and Intel have importance," said Paul Otellini, presi- working properly. In an aircraft, sen- created a powerful national resource, dent and COO of Intel Corporation. sors may include gyroscopes and in- one that will serve scientists who strive "While this Itanium 2 processor-based struments to measure acceleration. to unlock the mysteries of this planet system will be one of the highest-per- Spacecraft and other machines may have and the universe in which it dwells," forming computers ever created in the temperature sensors, gas sensors and said SGI CEO Bob Bishop. "NASA should world, the real value is how this system similar devices that report on the condi- be commended for the remarkable bold- will accelerate scientific design and re- tion of the machine or its environment. ness that made the new Columbia com- search faster than before for years to "Another advantage of the MILD puter happen. Our long-standing part- come." tool is its ability to associate detectors to nership with the agency has triggered a BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY known and probable faults. This signa-

Astrogram 2 November 2004 NASA 'Collective Intelligence' sends space messages faster NASA Ames scientists have shown structing that habitat," Wolpert said. ferent algorithms to solve bigger prob- that future fleets of spacecraft using 'col- "We don't have to specify details of lems, according to Wolpert. lective intelligence' can send more data the environment, or how the individual Concerning the future of collective computer pro- intelligence, Wolpert predicted that "this grams go about is a method that someday could be used achieving their to program very powerful artificial goals. The indi- brains made of nanoscale (miniature) vidual robots can components." Scientists measure run various arti- nanoscale objects in nanometers, each of ficial intelligence which is one billionth of a meter (one programs to billionth of 3.3 feet). achieve their These procedures also can help carry goals," Wolpert out other tasks such as programming stated. The algo- nano-computers, controlling unpiloted rithm that knits aerial vehicles (UAVs) and running the the computer pro- national airspace where airliners fly, grams together Wolpert ventured. to achieve a goal Scientists think that NASA-devel- does not depend oped collective intelligence could even on details of work successfully in business to moti- those programs, vate a company's staff so that employ- The Computational Sciences Division Collective Intelligence team members, according to ees would achieve corporate goals. An left to right, Bill Macready, UARC contractor (UC Santa Cruz); David Wolpert. example of a business goal that collec- Wolpert, Code TC; and Chris Henze (seated), Code TN. Just as eco- tive intelligence could attain is maxi- nomic policy mizing a company's stock value. to Earth faster and more efficiently than makers can use many different recipes, "In the last year, we stumbled upon ever before. such as lower interest rates, changing a relationship between physics and eco- Using insights from economics and regulations and reducing deficits, to im- nomics that greatly advanced our un- physics, Ames researchers have learned prove the economy, NASA can use dif- continued on back page how to mix the separate, 'selfish' goals of distinct computer programs, robots and human beings to achieve larger, com- Ames senior leaders reach out to mon goals - a process known as collec- tive intelligence. Scientists use algo- employees through many forums rithms -- recipe-like procedures -- espe- cially designed to knit computer pro- Leadership is all about conversa- and employees at the Center. grams together so they can achieve glo- tions you have with those you lead. ‘Inside the Director’s Studio’ is tar- Prior to and immediately following the geted to all employees, including super- bal goals. issuing of the CAIB report, Ames has visors, managers, civil servants and con- "We have run computer simulations been involved in a variety of initiatives tractors. Employees are encouraged to that verify that our recipes for collective to improve communications, specifically ask questions of both a personal and intelligence work," said David Wolpert, between management and employees. professional nature. Questions are col- a scientist in the Computational Sciences This includes ‘TeamTalks,’ an open Q&A lected prior to the event, but time is Division, Code TC. He said that his group forum hosted monthly by the deputy reserved at each session to ask questions might well be the first team to write center director, a similar program ‘In- in real time, as well. algorithms based on collective intelli- side the Director’s Studio’ hosted by the ‘Team Talks’ is targeted to non-su- gence that successfully integrate assorted center director and KARC, a Web-radio pervisory civil servant employees. At- computer programs. format. tendees are given time to meet each "The Internet is a huge network of These mechanisms have each pro- other, hear timely concerns of the deputy computers relaying messages to one vided an opportuity for employees to director and engage in conversation with another," Wolpert explained. "We fig- meet management in a personal and him. Currently, deputy center director ured out how to change the goals of informal way, to hear directly about the Stan Newberry addresses issued raised those computers so messages arrived at many changes happening within the and answers questions participants have their ultimate destinations faster, with agency and specifically at Ames and the about the current state of the Center. improvements of up to five times in progress being made. In addition, these KARC is the Center’s new internal certain Internet-based experiments," forums have provided an opportunity ‘radio’ station. KARC broadcasts unique Wolpert said. The same type of collec- to direct specific questions to manage- interviews and points of view, new de- tive intelligence will enable spacecraft ment about the personal concerns of velopments at Ames and throughout to send messages faster to Earth and attendees or, in the case of KARC, its the agency, and ‘hall talk’ – topics that return more data. ‘listeners.’ people are talking about or interested "Just as human beings can self-orga- Participants in both senior leader in, but for which they may not otherwise nize into companies and achieve overall communication forums ‘Inside the be able to get accurate information. goals, so can these selfish computers, or Director’s Studio’ and ‘TeamTalks’ come Employees interested in participat- even robots, self-organize to achieve together in an informal setting over cof- ing in future ‘Team Talks’ or ‘Inside the overall goals," he explained. Scientists fee and refreshments. Attendees are Director’s Studio’ sessions should con- envision using collective intelligence to nominated by their directorates in order tact their organizational directors. Ses- control any large group of robots or to ensure a representational cross-sec- sions will be held approximately every people. "If you have a whole bunch of tion of the entire Center. These forums six to eight weeks for the foreseeable rovers that you want to create a human are designed to encourage communica- future. habitat on Mars, the global goal is con- tion between Ames senior management BY GAIL JAMES

Astrogram 3 November 2004 U.S./Russia cooperate to keep space exploration alive Although many may think the U.S. Lenin still looms over a first-floor meet- a Web-based information system. Carlos human space program has been ing area; on the opposite wall is a large Fontanot of JSC served as technical liai- grounded since the loss of space shuttle mural of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, gen- son and television producer, working Columbia in 2003, Americans continue erally considered the father of rocket closely with the video team at the launch to explore the cosmos with the assis- dynamics; Yurii Gagarin, the first hu- site and with the JSC television opera- tance of Russia’s Federal Space Agency. man to orbit the globe; and Korolev. tions team in Houston. Navias provided When a colleague at JSC’s Public NASA offices are housed in an up- live commentary from the launch site, Affairs Office (PAO) called in late Sep- dated suite of rooms on the second floor while Ingalls photographed the activi- tember to ask if I would travel to Mos- of a 2-story wing of the TsUP, complete ties. Two days later, we left for work at with Internet con- 3:30 a.m. to be in place for the docking of nections, data the Soyuz module with the space sta- lines, NASA tele- tion. All went according to plan, and a phones and fax few hours later, the Expedition 9 crew machines pro- welcomed its first visitors to the station vided by MSFC. In since April. addition to an of- On Sunday, Oct. 24, the NASA pub- fice that houses lic affairs contingent headed to work at NASA public af- 2:30 a.m. for the landing of the Expedi- fairs staff during tion 9 crew and Russian Space Forces space station crew cosmonaut Yuri Shargin in Kazakhstan’s exchanges, the pre-dawn darkness. Shargin had area also includes launched with Expedition 10, spent eight offices for inter- days on the ISS and returned to Earth preters, support with the Expedition 9 crew. Again, Rahn staff, and mem- handled the ‘upstairs’ activities and bers of the Hous- Members of the NASA public affairs team in Moscow recently, from ton Support left: Debbie Rahn (NASA HQ), Rob Navias (NASA JSC), Vladimir Group from Samsonov (consultant to Mission Control-Moscow), Carlos Fontanot Johnson Space (NASA JSC) and Ann Sullivan (NASA Ames). Center, who monitor various cow to support the agency’s public af- ISS systems and payloads. fairs efforts there during the Interna- Representatives from Headquarters tional Space Station crew exchange, I and Johnson Space Center led the Mos- was only too happy to help out. So at 5 cow public affairs efforts for the launch a.m. on a Saturday morning, I left on my of the space station’s Expedition 10 crew fifth trip to Moscow on behalf of NASA, (commander Leroy Chiao and flight and my first since 1999. engineer Shalizhan Sharipov) and the I reached my hotel in Moscow return of the Expedition 9 crew (com- around noon the following day. I was mander Gennady Padalka and science Sign on the front of the building identifies it fortunate to be in a ‘NASA room,’ officer Mike Fincke). In addition, JSC as the Flight Control Center. equipped with a U.S. phone line, a high- public affairs officer Rob Navias, a U.S./ speed Internet connection and a laptop Russian video team and NASA Head- VIPS, including NASA Administrator computer. Communications support of quarters photographer Bill Ingalls cov- Sean O'Keefe, Assistant Administrator NASA personnel in Moscow is provided ered the launch and landing in for Public Affairs Glenn Mahone, Assis- by U.S. and Russian experts under the Kazakhstan. tant Administrator for External Rela- direction of the Marshall Space Flight I was there to provide additional tions Michael O'Brien, Associate Ad- Center. public affairs support, especially during ministrator for Space Operations Will- Our base of operations was the Rus- the critical launch, docking and landing iam Readdy and others. I monitored sian Mission Control Center (MCC-M) activities. On those days, our staff reports about the landing and recovery in the city of Korolev, about a 40-minute worked long, busy days, coordinating operations from our first-floor office. drive northeast of the Russian capital. public affairs activities at TsUP, in Via videophone, we were able to see Known as TsUP (often pronounced by Kazakhstan and at JSC. On launch day, Fincke grinning from ear to ear as he sat Americans as ‘soup’), the mission con- we headed to work at 3:45 a.m. outside the Soyuz spacecraft on a spe- trol center is located in a brown building NASA Deputy Administrator Fred cial couch, sipping hot liquids. His broad near a small forested area. Within easy Gregory, Deputy Associate Administra- smile told it all. Fincke had just com- walking distance of the MCC-M are sev- tor for Space Station and Space Shuttle pleted his first space flight -- 188 days, eral small shops, including a bakery, a Michael Kostelnik, space station pro- 186 of them on the ISS. He had led the small market and an ice cream shop. gram manager Bill Gerstenmaier, former American scientific research effort, Korolev (population 161,200) is the ISS astronaut Ed Lu and many others working in the space station’s Destiny cradle of the Russian space program were in attendance for the early morn- Laboratory module on continued stud- and the center of the Russian aerospace ing launch of the Soyuz TM-5 spacecraft ies of the effects of weightlessness on the industry. The city was named after re- from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. human body. Fincke also conducted nowned scientist Sergey P. Korolev, con- While my headquarters colleague, multiple experiments in the physical sidered the founder of the Soviet space Debbie Rahn, provided VIP and media sciences. Fincke’s wife watched her hus- program. support upstairs before and during band on videophone from Star City just MCC-M is a sprawling, 5-story launch, I remained in the PAO room, north of Moscow. With her were their building with wide hallways and lots of monitoring the latest information from two young children, one of whom was marble. A large marble bust of Vladimir our interpreter as well as from the IMC, born while Fincke was on the ISS. continued on next page Astrogram 4 November 2004 Former wind tunnel mechanic, Richard German, passes on On Oct. 3, 2004, Richard ‘Dick’ Ger- his brother Leon German Jr. and wife man was pronounced dead at a Grand Janet of Fountain Valley, Calif.; his son Junction, Colo. hospital. He died from a David German and wife Michelle of heart attack while riding his mountain Chandler, Ariz; his daughter Donna bike in Moab, Utah from where he was Hutcheson and her husband Will of airlifted. German was 58. He was born Livermore, Calif. German also had four on Dec. 16, 1945, at Fort Smith, Ark. grandchildren, Michael, Ashlyn, and German worked his entire career at Kiersten Hutcheson and Andrew Ger- NASA Ames. He provided mechanic man. and supervisory skills to the wind tun- No formal services will be con- nels at Ames. He served in the US Army, ducted. In lieu of flowers, the family ask completing two tours of duty in Viet- that you take your best friend to lunch nam. and tell them how much you care for German was preceded in death by them. That is what German would do. If his wife Barbara (1999). They were mar- you would like to write the family a ried for 30 years. His father, Leon, died letter about German, you can contact in March of 2004. German is survived them at Dick German Memories, c/o by his mother, Margaret German of Will and Donna Hutcheson, 4046 Richard ‘Dick’ German Hemet, Calif.; his brother Ed German Guilford Ave., Livermore, CA, 94550. and wife Judy of Santa Ana, Calif., and U.S./Russia cooperate to keep space exploration alive continued from previoius page Later, we were driven to Star City, Shopping along the fashionable Arbat Linda. He shook my hands very warmly and then to Chkalovsky Airfield, a mili- Street and at the large outdoor crafts and explained that Linda usually ar- tary airfield just a few minutes' drive market (Izmailovo) was enjoyable as rived at the Volga around 10 p.m. Then, from Star City, to await the crew's ar- well. he led me down the street a few yards to rival from Kazakhstan. Waiting to greet Because I can the returning space travelers were their communicate fairly families, Russian dignitaries and NASA well in Russian, I al- representatives who had viewed the ways enjoy trying landing at MCC-M just a few hours ear- the cuisine in Rus- lier. sian cafes and chat- The Tupolev aircraft landed around ting with local resi- 12:30 p.m. under cool, cloudy, blustery dents. On the day skies, but the rain had stopped. Digni- the Soyuz space- taries and visitors rushed toward the craft docked with plane as soon as the steps were in place. the ISS, we joined a First to appear was Padalka, followed large group of as- by Fincke and Shargin. They were im- tronauts, cosmo- mediately surrounded by the crowd at nauts and space the foot of the stairs, Fincke had a brief agency officials at a opportunity to visit with his newborn shashlyk party at daughter, and then the crew members Star City, where the were whisked away to the 'Prophy' or ISS crews undergo prophylactorium, for several weeks of their pre-flight debriefings and medical activities. training and post- Our group, as well as the team that flight physical reha- View of the flight control room in the Russian mission control center. had been in Kazakhstan for the landing, bilitation. As I returned to Star City for another shashlyk walked around the (kebab) feast. Everyone was happy and lake near the astronauts’ cottages, I en- a pawn shop where Linda spends her relieved to have the space travelers safely countered an elderly man with his son, days. back on Earth. Another mission was grandson and spaniel. Soon the old man And there was Linda, asleep on the complete, with one crew safely back on and I were talking about our dogs, and linoleum in a back room. Linda didn't Earth and another safely aboard the ISS. he told me that during the Apollo-Soyuz remember me, but just seeing her alive In my free time, I enjoyed again mission he was the medical director of and well, and well-cared for, was exploring Red Square, the Kremlin, the facility where crews do their post- enough. Marat guessed that Linda is at Lenin’s Tomb and St. Basil’s Cathedral. flight physical rehabilitation. least 15 years old. She is very stiff, and Just off Red Square is a short street that One of the highlights of my trip was her front joints are swollen with arthri- is home to numerous old and very color- getting to see Linda, an old black-and- tis. Marat told me that several people ful churches, and around the corner to- white dog I had befriended in 1999. feed her and take care of her. The chances ward the Moscow River is part of the When Linda became very sick that sum- of a stray dog in Moscow living to be 15 original wall that surrounded the an- mer, I was able to arrange surgery to years old are practically nil, so I was cient city. At the end of the block to the treat a life-threatening infection. On the thrilled to see her. right is the Kremlin wall, with the gor- way from work one day, we stopped at As usual, I enjoyed my visit to Mos- geous gold ‘onion domes’ of the Krem- the Volga apartment building where I cow, but it’s always great to get home lin cathedrals peeking over the wall. had lived. Linda wasn't at the Volga, but again and be reunited with my own Ahead and to the left, across the river, is Marat, one of the employees, remem- dogs. the new Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. bered me as the person who had “saved” BY ANN SULLIVAN Astrogram 5 November 2004 Ames’ Battiste honored with national recognition The editors of Science Spectrum earned an MA in psychology from San Currently, the partnership has sup- magazine and US Black Engineer and Jose State University. ported and mentored six high school Information Technology magazine have He is co-lead of the flight-advanced students: one is a high school senior, selected Vernol Battiste of Ames as one situation display research group that three are entering their college fresh- of the ‘50 Most Important Blacks in Re- has primary responsibilities for flight man year and two students who began deck human fac- the program as high school seniors are tors research beginning their sophomore year at and develop- Amherst and North Carolina A&T. ment in support Battiste is also an advisor to the board of of the Advanced directors for FCE, a non-profit organiza- Air Transporta- tion whose mission is to promote col- tion Technolo- lege access for students traditionally gies (AATT) underrepresented in higher education. program. The Battiste’s face lights up as he talks group’s focus is about his students. The two sopho- on the develop- mores, Ajayi Lawrence and Kevin Jones, ment of ad- were able to participate in the student

Left to right: Ajayi Lawrence, Henri Battiste, Vernol Battiste and Kevin Jones after the ‘50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science’ awards luncheon in Nashville, Tenn. search Science’ for 2004. Battiste is a vanced display prin- principle investigator for advanced cock- ciples, concepts and pit display research at Ames as well as requirements for free the education outreach manager for the flight. Human Factors Research and Technol- Battiste is very ogy Division. excited by the work The award was presented at the he does and he sees Emerald Honors Conference in Nash- the contribution in ville in September. The annual event human factors re- Vernol Battiste in the Flight Deck Research Display Lab in Bldg. N-262. honors excellence among minority and search in aviation as female workers in hard sciences; space a necessity. “Air traffic volume is going track program during the conference. and astrophysics; health science, phar- to increase and this research is vital to Battiste, accompanied by his wife, maceutical and human genome research; bring about significant changes for pi- Antoinette Renee, a board member of agricultural research, food science, tex- lots and air traffic controllers,” he said. FCE, and their son Henrí, co-sponsored tile sciences; and climate and weather He further commented that “future both students. The students talked with research. space vehicles will transition to aviation researchers and gained more insight into “This came as a real surprise to me,” vehicles.” the power of education. said Battiste. “To be recognized by his- Ames Center Director G. Scott Unlike some programs that offer torically black colleges means a lot. It’s Hubbard congratulated Battiste on his short exposures to various aspects of very important to me.” He hopes that selection. “This truly is an honor for you research, this program is designed to this honor will afford him an opportu- and a wonderful reflection on NASA challenge students for the long haul, nity to make more significant links be- Ames Research Center’s diversity ef- and to inspire them to be creative, rather tween colleges and NASA. “This will forts to embrace the best of the best.” than be influenced by brief experiences. open doors that will enable me to foster While Battiste enjoys his research, Battiste keeps track of his students and expand the quality of people to he is also very proud of his other role as weekly and encourages them to com- meet NASA’s vision.” education outreach manager for the municate with each other throughout Battiste served in the US Air Force Human Factors Research and Technol- their academic years. His long-term where he was a jet engine mechanic and ogy Division. He is the principle person goals for the program are to expand it later an air traffic controller. Following responsible for division educational with sponsorships and develop an on- his enlistment, he joined the Federal outreach activities, and has formed a site campus to link to remote campuses. Aviation Administration as an air traffic partnership between NASA Ames, the Battiste’s contributions to NASA controller. As a research psychology Foundation for a College Education and the community exemplify the spirit undergraduate student at California (FCE) and San Jose State University. of NASA’s vision as an investment in State University, Hayward, Battiste came The focus of this partnership is to men- America’s future. to Ames under a grant to conduct re- tor high school and college students and BY OLA MARRA COOK search for input control devices. He provide them with positive work expe- joined Ames full time in 1984. He later riences in the research laboratory.

Astrogram 6 November 2004 Symposium demonstrates NASA’s human factors expertise NASA’s 40-plus years of expertise present and future of aviation human accurate, timely and integrated infor- in human factors research and technol- factors research, identifying the need mation on the traffic situation.“ ogy was featured in the first annual for further work in the areas of automa- In the area of human performance Aeronautics Research Mission Director- tion, advanced displays, modeling, train- issues in complex systems, attendee Dino ate NASA Human Factors Symposium ing, workload and attention manage- Piccione of the Federal Aviation Ad- hosted at NASA Ames on Oct. 18 to 21. ment and other issues that affect human ministration (FAA ) found the talk by The symposium was sponsored by the performance. Paul Lee (et al.) on the ‘Effect of in- Wickens also recognized the value of the long- term contributions of many NASA human factors projects such as the Aviation Safety Re- porting System (ASRS), which was

NASA photo by Tom Trower established with NASA photo by Gaye Graves the FAA in 1976 as an independent, Chris Wickens offers his insight into the past, confidential and present and future of aviation human factors voluntary aviation research in the symposium keynote address. reporting system. After 28 years, the Joel Miller (left) of the Spatial Auditory Displays Lab demonstrates SLAB Human Measures and Performance ASRS receives an (sound lab) software for one of the NASA Human Factors Symposium tours. (HMP) Project and chaired by Dr. Rich- average of 2,900 re- ard Mogford, HMP project manager. ports a month and The event was organized with the assis- the archive is considered a U.S. aviation creased traffic on controller workload’ tance of the Human Factors Research safety data national asset. Wickens rein- to be quite significant. “I found Lee’s and Technology Division and the Aero- forced the value of the excellent work talk on controller workload to be quite nautics Directorate. Over 150 partici- done by NASA in the areas of subjective valuable. It made this symposium well pants from NASA, other government workload assessment, strategic behav- worth the trip from Washington,” agencies, academia and industry at- ior, concurrent task management, train- Piccione stated. tended. ing and flight deck air traffic control Sandra Hart offered an example of “The main purpose of the sympo- displays and automation concepts. the crosscutting nature of human per- sium was to foster better collaboration Wickens also reinforced the value formance issues in complex systems with between aeronautics human factors re- of the excellent work of the Fatigue Coun- her talk on the ‘Man-machine Integra- searchers within the agency,” said termeasures Group, established in 1980, tion Design and Analysis System Patricia Jones, acting chief of the Hu- whose most recent work includes fa- (MIDAS),’ which has been used for both man Factors Research and Technology tigue countermeasures training for the aeronautics and space applications. Division. “But we also had colleagues MER mission surface operations team MIDAS is a comprehensive suite of com- from the FAA and Boeing here who and measuring their activity and sleep/ putational tools for designing and ana- were quite excited to take a fresh look at wake cycles. These research results will lyzing human-machine systems. The what we are doing.” be used in shift schedule development tools include 3-D rapid prototyping, Human factors is a cross-cutting to help minimize fatigue and maximize models of perception, cognition, re- discipline that focuses on the study of human performance and alertness for sponse, real- and fast-time simulation, human performance issues in complex future Mars-related operations. performance analysis and visualization. systems, user interface design, human- Three parallel tracks of presenta- It has data collection mechanisms for centered automation, safety, training tions, encompassing more than 40 pre- generating runtime data that is graphi- and fundamental research covering top- sentations, were given on areas of inter- cally displayed while the simulation runs ics such as human perception, attention est in the field of aeronautics and space and is saved for post-run analyses. and cognition. NASA’s human factors human factors, including: human per- Recently, MIDAS was used to cre- researchers have addressed human per- formance issues in complex systems, ate a virtual rendition of the current formance challenges in the air, in space, user interface design and fundamental space shuttle cockpit. It was used for a and on the ground for over 40 years. research. simulation of the first eight minutes of The recent symposium offered at- Conference attendees were intro- nominal ascent in the shuttle and pro- tendees a rare opportunity to discover duced to a new flight deck, user-inter- vided quantitative measures of astro- how this expertise is currently being face design in Vernal Battiste’s (et al.) naut workload, situation awareness, and used to support NASA’s aeronautics and talk ‘Human-centered decision support timing. MIDAS was recently ported space missions today and in the future. tools for arrival merging and spacing,’ from the Silicon Graphs to the PC plat- Attendees were welcomed by Ames which discussed the use of an advanced form. Center Director G. Scott Hubbard, and 3-D cockpit display of traffic informa- The symposium also included Patricia M. Jones, acting division chief tion (CDTI) display to improve the safety poster sessions, demos and two of the Human Factors Research and of flight by increasing situational and ‘OneNASA’ human factors booths. Technology Division. traffic awareness. Battiste offered “The Tours were provided of 10 human fac- Chris Wickens, a nationally recog- new 3-D CDTI was tested in the recent tors labs and facilities at Ames. nized human factors expert from the Distributed Air/Ground Traffic Man- For more information about human University of Illinois Aviation Research agement (DAG-TM) simulation of the factors research, visit http:// Laboratory, gave the keynote address. Dallas, Fort Worth airspace and was humanfactors.arc.nasa.gov. Wickens offered his insight into the past, found to provide the flight crews with BY GAYE GRAVES Astrogram 7 November 2004 Housing for living organisms in space In collaboration with Boeing, Chi- NASA Ames develops and delivers sci- That will be accomplished through use cago, and NASA's Marshall Space Flight ence payloads, a team of engineers at of various biological models and equip- Center, Huntsville, Ala., scientists at KSC will integrate them into the racks in ment housed in these racks, which can NASA Ames have designed and manu- preparation for their flight to the ISS. lend to our knowledge of future astro- factured two advanced habitat- holding Future Space Station Biological Re- naut health." racks. The racks are about the size of a search Project modules will contain vari- The capabilities provided by the soda vending machine. They will hold ous additional elements, including a habitat holding racks will help astro- different habitats, or payloads, housing centrifuge, glove box and other labora- nauts conduct experiments by provid- plants, rodents, microorganisms and tory equipment. These elements are es- ing data, video and command and con- other biological specimens to be studied sential to the fundamental space biol- trol functions. Researchers on the in the microgravity environment ogy research being conducted by scien- ground will also benefit by having the onboard the International Space Station. tists at NASA Ames and their collabora- ability and flexibility to monitor and "Holding racks are essentially tors in the scientific community. The control the environment and experimen- microgravity platforms in the life sci- floating space laboratory will enable tal parameters of their research projects. ence research facility," said George unique, long-term experiments address- "Habitat holding racks provide the Sarver, project manager of the Space ing critical questions related to the health, functional support to the payloads to Station Biological Research Project at safety and performance of astronauts at ensure the right conditions for experi- Ames. "They will provide support to Earth, moon and Mars gravity levels. ments, which leads to better science," the payloads to ensure the right condi- "Studying microgravity’s impact on said Sarver. tions for experiments." human health and performance is cru- BY VICTORIA STEINER Scheduled to fly to the space station cial for NASA's successful implementa- in the Multi Purpose Logistics Module tion of the Vision for Space Explora- in 2006, both racks have been delivered tion," said Bonnie Dalton, NASA Ames to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape deputy director of science. "In order for Hispanic Heritage Canveral, Fla., for design testing to en- us to return to the moon and send hu- sure that they are functioning properly man missions to Mars, we must ensure tolf tournament held astronauts' health, well being and safety. and that they fit into the module. As NASA Ames celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting the 3rd annual Hispanic Heritage Golf Tour- Code C’s realignment nament. The event was held on Oct. Have you been hearing about the standards for conducting business. Code C realignment? Many people The avenue for this input is a process across the Center have been hearing re-engineering team. The process re- lots of things and now have questions engineering teams are made up of about the impacts of this realignment expert financial people from the field, effort. Ames is in the process of re- from the RMO and the Financial Man- aligning financial resources in the field agement Division. Currently, there under the CFO’s organization. The are five process re-engineering teams effort is aimed at creating better work- either underway or being formulated; ing relationships across all programs, G&A and ASPs, workforce, DSPs, pro- projects and functions and ensuring grams and projects and reimbursables. CFO visibility to all financial data such Membership for all of these groups that the financial health of the Center has not been finalized, so it remains a is assured. good opportunity to get involved! If 15 at the Moffett golf course. Many This realignment will require a you’re interested in ‘out-of-the-box attended and had an excellent time. tremendous effort and Code C is en- thinking’ and want to influence the The tournament was hosted by gaging experts from the field to lend financial environment, consider join- the Center's Hispanic Advisory Com- their insight, ideas and assist in the ing a process re-engineering team. mittee for Employees (HACE). HACE work. For approximately 90 days, The approach to this realignment is focused on supporting Hispanic there will be no significant changes to activity is a little different than most. youth in education and community. the jobs those in the field perform or Yes, we want the business processes The winners of the tournament the function they are supporting. This of the Center to be more efficient and were Eric Kristich, David Lagman, means that the employee reassignment effective and easier to perform, but Ricardo Lagman and Lucio De Anda. that was effective Oct. 17 will have no the main goal during this change is to direct impact on people for about three involve those who are directly affected. months. This 90-day period will allow With this model, anyone interested in the Code C management team and participating has an opportunity to field ‘experts’ to re-engineer the help craft his or her new work envi- Center’s budget and financial man- ronment! agement processes. So, interested in participating? Are The re-engineering effort will help you an out of the box thinker? Have to ‘ready’ the Code C environment for more questions? Call Deb Feng at ext. the reassigned employees. The intent 4-0256 to schedule a briefing for your is to take ideas and input from people organization or any member of the across the Center to streamline pro- Code C management team to help you cesses and establish clear and concise find a way to participate.

Astrogram 8 November 2004 NASA Ames inspires students to reach for their dreams The NASA Explorer Schools (NES) NASA experience that helped sway their work with the schools to continue the program is working. This is a bold state- decision to eventually work for NASA. excitement generated at the kick-off ment with few quantifiable metrics, but "Every man if you saw the faces of the hundreds of and woman who students in the NES schools Ames is works at NASA started like you," started Stan Newberry, NASA Ames deputy cen- ter director, during his presentation at Key Peninsula Middle School. To build addi- tional excitement, each of the Ames NES schools held school-wide con- tests to determine Astronaut Steven Swanson ‘high fives’ students which students Astronaut Rex Williams (left) and Chief Financial Officer for NASA Gwen after a rocket launch at Kenneth Intermediate would ask ques- Sykes (center) answer questions from the students in Whittier, Alaska. school in Idaho. tions during the program and have lunch with the astro- events. The three-year partnerships will naut. Students submitted short essays, include additional school events, teacher responsible for, the 'bang for the buck' drawing or designed aliens to be consid- in-service training and technology sup- question would become a moot point. ered. The contest winners were treated port. Each year, the NASA Explorer to 45 to 60 minutes of face-to-face inter- Next school year, NASA Ames will Schools program establishes a three-year action with the astronaut and the NASA get an additional five or six schools. For partnership between NASA and 50 official. more information about the NASA Ex- school teams, consisting of teachers and NASA Explorer Schools, education plorer Schools Program, visit http:// education administrators from diverse and public affairs personnel and aero- explorerschools.nasa.gov/ communities across the country. NASA space education specialists at Ames will BY JONAS DINO Ames is responsible for 11 school teams located in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Mon- tana, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Northern California. Reda, Remington named Ames Fellows In the months of September and Ames’ Daniel Reda and Roger vehicle nosetips in ballistic ranges. He October, NASA Ames coordinated five Remington were selected by the Ames developed a roughness-induced tran- NES kick-off events. At each event, a Science and Technology Council as sition model that was instrumental in NASA official and an astronaut spoke to Ames Associate Fellows for this year. selecting the correct heat shield thick- the students about NASA and the fu- ness for the Galileo probe used to probe ture. The NASA officials were respon- the atmosphere of Jupiter. His work sible for presenting the Vision for Space has had a major impact on both Exploration and how the students and adults can participate in making the vi- sion a reality. The astronauts presented their experiences as part of the astro- naut corps. "It’s awesome," said a student at Key Peninsula Middle School in Lakebay, Wash. "It gives us more op- NASA photo by Roger Brimmer portunities to learn more things." "I thought it was so cool that we got Daniel Reda

to meet an astronaut," said a second NASA photo by Dominic Hart grade student at Whittier Community This is one of the most prestigious School in Whittier, Alaska. awards given by the Center. The award Roger Remington "I never thought about working for carries a personal honorarium as well NASA until today," said a fifth grade as a research and travel stipend. The hypersonics and planetary entry. student at Kenneth Carberry Intermedi- criteria for selection are (1) sustained Remington was selected for his ate School. "They made me feel that I can innovative and creative contributions significant research contributions to do anything I want to." to progress in the nominee's field of the control of attention, neurophysi- "The lesson plan in the afternoon activity; (2) recognition by a nominee's ology and decision science. He has was shot," said a teacher at Barnard peers of the quality and significance of contributed to a number of applied White Middle School in Union City, 22 his/her work: and (3) actual and po- projects including rotorcraft display miles east of NASA Ames across the tential impact on NASA's science and design, decision-support and intelli- Dumbarton Bridge. "The students mission goals. gent control systems for the space sta- couldn't stop, all they wanted to talk Reda was selected for his pioneer- tion, innovative concepts for launch about was the event." ing research in the field of hypersonic operations, modeling of human error These types of comments and reac- boundary layer transition and for for- in aviation systems and information tions are what the NASA Explorer mulating a new methodology for the flow and display concepts for ad- Schools program is looking for. Many aerothermodynamic testing of reentry vanced air traffic control. NASA employees can trace back to a

Astrogram 9 November 2004 Ames scientists receive Exceptional Service Medal The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) to mission managers, they have contrib- for various NASA missions. For MER, Collaborative Information Portal (CIP) uted to an increase in science productiv- CIP helped scientists and engineers per- leads -- Joan Walton and John Schreiner ity of over 20 percent." form time-critical tasks. -- and the Mixed-initiative Activity Plan MAPGEN is a ground-based, auto- Both the CIP and MAPGEN sys- Generator (MAPGEN) lead, Kanna mated planning and scheduling tool that tems are still in use in support of ex- Rajan, all from Code TC, recently re- MER scientists use to build and edit tended operations of the MER mission. ceived the NASA Exceptional Service science activity plans for the rovers based The CIP and MAPGEN teams also Medal for their work. on the scientists' 'wish list' of observa- won other accolades including NASA The MER mission project manager tions and the rovers' available resources. Ames Group Achievement Honor nominated the three Ames researchers "MAPGEN's unique 'mixed-initia- Awards and the NASA Headquarters for the medals, which were awarded tive' planning capability permits tacti- Code R ‘Turning Goals into Reality’ during a ceremony at the Jet Propulsion cal activity planners to tune their plans (TIGR) award. In addition, JPL presented Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif. for the rover," Korsmeyer said. the NASA Group Achievement Award "Code IC (now TC) is very proud of CIP is the primary time-manage- for Contributions to the MER Ground the work of these leaders and their ment tool for operations and science for Data System Team’ to the combined teams," said TC division chief Dave the MER missions. It is the latest in a Ames team. Korsmeyer. "They have made a major series of applications to support data impact on the MER mission. According retrieval, analysis and understanding BY JOHN BLUCK Sustainability Award call for 2004 Do you know someone who…. species of palm that would have been reality of our society today on a larger • Is a champion ‘green purchaser’? ideal for making structures to transport scale, yet is not really understood. A • Recycles like crazy? and erect the massive stone statues sustainable society balances material • Goes out of the way to save (called moai) found around the island resources, the economy and the stan- energy? and for constructing large canoes to fish dard of living. Each is dependent on the • Helps others understand deep off the coast. other. Recycling more, conserving more, environmental issues? When Dutch explorer Jacob and preventing more pollution without The Environmental Services Office Roggeveen discovered the island on changing how we operate is not neces- (Code QE) wants nominations for the Easter, April 5, 1722, he described the sarily sustainable. Changing how we 2004 Ames Sustainability Award (for- land as “wasted” and “a singular pov- manufacture, design buildings, pur- erty and barrenness.” The inhabitants chase products, travel, and grow crops, had depleted the abundant palms and to name a few examples, to make more wildlife after years of unsustainable har- effective use of resources is an integral vesting. This transformation from para- part of becoming sustainable. dise to wasteland occurred over 12 cen- Easter Island should be our lesson, turies between 400 A.D. and 1600 A.D. not our destination, unless you are plan- The process was so gradual, the inhabit- ning a vacation. ants may not have even noticed the gen- Questions about the sustainability erational differences in their land and award? Contact Christel VanArsdale at way of life. ext. 4-1175, or the author at ext. 4-1406. Like in the Easter society, sustain- ing our resources and communities is a BY MARK LACY ‘Moia’ Easter Island statues. merly called the Pollution Prevention CMU project leads to new NASA career Award). Code QE sponsors an annual award to recognize employees who at- Hosted by the NASA Ames Hu- tempt to improve the environment man-Computer Interaction (HCI) group, through their day-to-day activities, and the Carnegie Mellon Masters of HCI is looking for specific accomplishments, student team reached completion on a preferably in the last year or so, but can nine-month long capstone project this be at any time. summer. The project culminated in the Nominations are due by Dec. 31. development and testing of a prototype The award winner(s) will be selected representing a next-generation version and awards issued by March 1, 2005. of the Science Activity Planner (SAP) Nomination forms and rules are on the application used on the MER mission.

Ames pollution prevention web site at The final deliverable was a running NASA photo by Tom Trower http://q/qe/p2. Visual Basic prototype and design speci- What is sustainability? If the fication the JPL SAP group can use to CMU Masters students discuss the next Polynesians who inhabited Easter Is- code. At the end of the summer, the generation version of the Science Activity land understood sustainability, their team gave a final presentation to SAP Planner (SAP) application used on the MER society might be here today. Scientists developers from JPL, Ames stakehold- mission. Left to right: Alesha Jordan, Darin have discovered that Easter was a para- ers and the students' faculty advisors. Wonn, Ben Glenn and Jenica Rangos. dise with an abundance of natural re- After completing her capstone mas- sources, a subtropical forest of trees and ters project and receiving her degree, mer, Rangos also completed an inde- woody bushes that towered over a one of the students, Jenica Rangos, was pendent study on anomaly resolution in ground layer of shrubs, herbs, ferns and hired by the HCI Group, and started the context of the Gravity Probe B mis- grasses. In the forest grew an abundant work in September. During the sum- sion. Astrogram 10 November 2004 Cloud study finds fire pollutants travel higher and farther A NASA mission to study the prop- harmful ultraviolet rays. The effect of than one mile above the tropopause over erties of cirrus clouds found that forest injecting smog pollutants into the ozone James Bay. fire smoke, containing pollution-level layer is unknown. “The key question is CRYSTAL-FACE is one of the concentrations of trace gases, travels how the chemistry of these two systems unique experiments that unites seven will combine,” said NASA centers, NOAA, National Science Drdla. Foundation, Department of Energy, Of- NASA’s Jet fice of Naval Research, U.S. Weather Propulsion Labora- Research Program, universities and tory (JPL), the Na- other government weather researchers tional Oceanic and to study how cirrus clouds in our atmo- Atmospheric Ad- sphere will be affected by greenhouse ministration warming, caused by human emissions (NOAA) and sev- of carbon dioxide. This mission was eral universities primarily funded by NASA’s Radiation were collaborating Sciences Program. with Ames. The “These results show that there could findings were pub- be an impact to ozone in the strato- lished in the Ameri- sphere from particles originally thought can Geophysical to be only in the troposphere,” said Jost. Union (AGU) Geo- The smoke was injected to high alti- Satellite image (from Terra MODIS) showing the large cloud of smoke physical Research tudes by a strong convective cloud sys- produced by the forest fires that were examined in this study. Letters last month. tem that formed over the forest fires. "This looked like Satellite pictures of the clouds confirmed several thousand miles away at higher- polluted air,” said Dr. Hans-Jurg Jost, that the cloud tops were very cold, -65°C than-expected altitudes. lead author and principal investigator (-85°F), indicating that the system had The CRYSTAL-FACE (Cirrus Re- with the Bay Area Environmental Re- the potential to penetrate into the strato- gional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cir- search Institute, working in collabora- sphere. Such convective systems have rus Layers – Florida Area Cirrus Experi- tion with NASA. “At these altitudes we previously been observed to form over ment) Mission, conducted during the usually find pristine air.” forest fires, but were believed to only summer of 2002, used six aircraft, in- The key support that forest fires are inject air into the upper troposphere or cluding two NASA research airplanes, the combustion source of the carbon lowest levels of the stratosphere. This to sample clouds in the Florida Keys and monoxide was the comparison with data system was able to inject air several subsequently collected concentrations from that of a previously measured, kilometers higher. of carbon monoxide five times higher known fire plume two hours old. The According to Drdla, further research than expected. The cause was traced similarity in the particle data implies is necessary to determine the dynamics back to multiple fires across Canada. that the plume observed over Florida responsible for injecting forest fire smoke The mission explored an area between originated from biomass burning. to such high altitudes and to determine approximately 47,000 feet and 58,000 “We tracked the area of the plume how common these events are. “This is feet, an area known as the tropopause that the aircraft encountered back in a wide open field for research,” she said. region. time for the 10 days prior to the mea- For more information visit To discover the cause of the unex- surements,” said Jost. It was discovered http://geo.arc.nasa.gov/sgp/aer pected result, co-investigators Katja that the air had come from Canada, ex- osol/aerocloud6.html,http:// Drdla, Max Loewenstein and Paul Bui, tending from Hudson Bay down to south www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2004/ scientists from NASA Ames, back- of Lake Huron. A research satellite ob- 2003GL019253.shtml or http:// tracked the origins of the pollutant par- served enhanced aerosol extinction more www.espo.nasa.gov/crystalface ticles. Satellite images and data from the BY OLA COOK Canadian Forest Service indicated that heavy smoke plumes from forest fires in Saskatchewan, Canada, were the cause. Navigator Ask the “The plume went straight up and then traveled,” said Drdla. Most exist- ‘export expert’ ing circulation models assume that the speaks at Ames lower-level air enters into the strato- Question: When is a person con- sidered a ‘foreign national?’ sphere, 12 to 16 miles high, only in the Answer: A foreign national is a tropics. This is the first time in-situ citizen of a country other than the observations of a carbon monoxide- and United States. The International Traf- particle-enriched plume can be traced to fic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) speci- emissions from a forest fire thousands fies that a citizen of the United States of miles away.” Drdla said “If the plume is (amazingly) called a U.S. person. was two to three kilometers lower it However, the ITAR also considers would mix with other gases. At this lawful permanent residents (i.e. higher altitude, it is anticipated to stay ‘green card holders’) to be U.S. per- there for an average of five to six years.” sons. So for export purposes, a green At low levels, the forest fire smoke would NASA photo by Tom Trower card holder is not a foreign national. mix to create ozone, which is a danger- Do you have a question for the ous pollutant and the main ingredient of Famed world-class navigator Stan Honey export expert? Send it care of smog. At higher altitudes, however, [email protected]. And, visit speaks about his transoceanic exploits at the Web at http://jp.arc.nasa.gov/ ozone is naturally present and benefi- the Ames Sailing Club meeting in October. cial, because it protects the Earth from EC/EC.html.

Astrogram 11 November 2004 Challenger victim honored with school dedication With the more than 18 years that The Christa separates us from the Challenger acci- McAuliffe Middle dent, it is easier to see all the good that School uniquely in- has come from the disaster. Despite the corporates space loss of the seven heroic astronauts, they into its curriculum. Besides holding space mission simulations and of- fering a class spe- cifically on all as- pects of space sci- ences each year as an extra incentive for good atten- dance, several stu- dents are sent to Hunstville, Ala., to The Christa McAuliffe Middle School official dedication was held in participate in September. Attending from left to right: Darla Briggs, Christa McAuliffe Space Camp. Middle School principal; Nick Nguyen, student body president; Grace Corrigan, McAuliffe's mother; Steven Corrigan, McAuliffe’s brother and Christa McAuliffe’s mother and brother during BY ARIANE CORNELL his wife. the recent dedication of the Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Stockton. continue to inspire people. Most re- cently, Christa McAuliffe, the teacher from New Hampshire, was honored as ASAP II 3rd trimester awards presented the namesake of a new school in Stock- ton, Calif. Under the Ames Safety Awards Mathew Linton The Christa McAuliffe Middle Program (ASAP) II, Ames recognized Gail James School was officially dedicated in Sep- 12 employees for their outstanding ac- Robert Shipley tember at a ceremony held at the freshly complishments in improving health Cheryl Orth finished campus. Along with approxi- and safety. ASAP II was established to mately 800 students, in attendance were recognize employee actions, behavior Tier Level 1 – Team awards several school administrators, local gov- and/or job performance that result in Outreach Presentations ernment officials, a representative from improved health and safety conditions for the Researchers Governor Schwarzenegger’s office and at the Center. Erik Rockwell McAuliffe’s mother, Grace Corrigan. There are four levels of awards, Stacy St. Louis “This is a beautiful, beautiful, beau- with tier four being the highest level of tiful school,” said Corrigan. In refer- achievement. The ASAP II board evalu- Tier Level 1 – Individual awards ence to the dedication day sharing ates each nomination and selects the McAuliffe’s birthday date, Corrigan Mathew Linton tier level that best represents the ac- Doreen Cohen called the event a “fabulous birthday tions and accomplishments of that present.” Corrigan, who concluded the nomination. dedication ceremony by unveiling a Each of these employees and teams A group of two individuals from large portrait of McAuliffe to be hung in was nominated by their colleagues for PAI Corporation received this the foyer of the school, delivered an their outstanding actions and accom- inspiring presentation that urged the trimester’s highest team award. They plishments in improving health and students to “take every single advan- were recognized for their outreach ef- safety conditions at Ames. tage you have, enjoy [the] school, and forts by hosting the hazardous waste If you know of an individual or a do the best you can.” collection presentations in a location team that deserves recognition, nomi- NASA also showed its support dur- convenient for their research audience. nate them for an ASAP II award. ing the dedication. Robert Smith, once a The nomination form can be re- teacher himself, has worked with NASA Tier Level 3 – Individual awards trieved in Microsoft Word by clicking for more than 15 years to promote posi- Bernadette Luna on the ASAP II link at http:// tive outcomes of the Challenger acci- Kevin Kalinowski q.arc.nasa.gov. The nomination form dent, such as the Challenger learning can be completed and submitted to centers. At the ceremony, Smith gave a Tier Level 2 – Individual awards Shelleen Lomas at Mail Stop 221-10 or speech and presented the school’s prin- Valerie Stone-Reeve e-mail [email protected]. cipal, Darla Briggs, with a framed photo Jay Nuez of Challenger lifting off and with an STS-51L patch.

Astrogram 12 November 2004 Senior research scientist, Louisa Beck, passes on Louisa R. Beck, a senior research ogy. For nearly 20 years, she collabo- Beck was an avid gardener. Com- scientist with Ames’ Ecosystem Science rated with many international partners pleting the master gardener’s program and Technology Branch (Code SGE), and organizations in the field of public out of U.C. Extension, she identified passed away on Oct. 16. She was 52. In health research. As a co-founder of most plants by their botanical names. CHAART, she had much influence on Pedestrian terms like ‘daisy’ or ‘mari- NASA Headquarters programs in both gold’ were not part of her vocabulary, Code U (biological and physical re- nor were such plants a part of her gar- search) and Code Y (Earth science). Her den. She was particularly fond of salvias publications were well respected and and her backyard was a display of the often cited. In recent years, her work many varieties of this hardy plant. She was acknowledged in journals such as appreciated their durability and adapt- Emerging Infectious Diseases, Journal ability in the local landscape, as well as of the American Mosquito Control As- their beneficence to hummingbirds. For sociation, and Journal of Medical Ento- bees and butterflies there was a fair rep- mology to support the application of her resentation of native plants and, as a ideas in Asia, Africa and South America. reminder of the desert, there was a vast She was especially proud of and com- array of cacti and succulents. She was mitted to inspiring the next generation an avid bird watcher, both in her back of public health researchers through stu- yard as well as at Ames. A pair of Louisa Beck dent collaboration and mentorship. Vis- binoculars sat on her desk, ready to iden- iting researchers and students who tify a possible red tail hawk or even a 2001, Beck was diagnosed with ovarian trained at the CHAART facility received golden eagle as it flew outside her office cancer. Her courage and resolve in bat- her attention both in and out of the lab. window. Her love of wildlife included tling this disease was an inspiration for Beck often served as a tour guide to local her championing several causes for the all who knew her. points of interest or to favorite restau- protection and well being of animals. At Beck began her career in remote rants. Most visitors were transported in home, she loved and cared for her suc- sensing while she was a graduate stu- her battered but beloved yellow VW cession of cats, beginning with Mr. Spot dent at U.C. Berkeley’s Department of Bug to and from Ames, to San Francisco and Sonia, and later Rajah and Moses. Geography. She came to NASA Ames or a nearby art festival, or simply to run Beck is survived by her brother, in the late 1970s to work on the errands. For Beck, these tasks were not Stephan Beck and his family and a sister. AgRISTARS program, which used sat- just part of the job: by assisting the The memorial service for Beck will be ellite data in identifying crops and field facility’s students and visitors, Beck as- held on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2:00 p.m. at estimates. sured their inclusion into the extended the Fernwood Cemetary in Mill Valley. From 1986 to 1989, Beck was a re- CHAART family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be search associate at the Arizona Remote In the past year, Beck received two made to The Nature Conservancy, Attn: Sensing Center at the University of Ari- well-deserved awards in recognition of Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite zona at Tucson. Here, Beck’s affinity her work: the Presidential Rank and 100, Arlington, VA 22203, (800) 628-6820. with the desert landscape was fulfilled. NASA Honor Award for Exceptional Beck will be deeply missed by her many For her, the sun, sand and open spaces Achievement and an Ames Honor friends and colleagues here and around represented all that was unassailable in Award for Excellence in the category of the world. nature and in life. scientist/researcher. BY GAILYNNE BOURET Beck returned to NASA Ames in 1990 as a contractor with Technicolor Government Services (later Johnson Controls World Services) to work on the Safety Corner Global Monitoring and Human Health (GMHH) program. This interagency Are you using two or more moni- that can control one or more comput- collaborative program used NASA sci- tors and keyboards at your desk? If so, ers at one time. This allows the com- ence and technologies to model mos- beware. Extra wires, cables and power puter user to work with the monitor, quito habitat distribution for use in cords dangling from the desk cause keyboard and mouse at the optimum models of malaria transmission risk. additional floor clutter that may be- ergonomic position, reducing repeti- With Byron Wood, Beck transferred the come entangled around feet or chair tive stress injuries, cumulative trauma knowledge gained from the GMHH pro- wheels and cause a fall. Additionally, disorders and eye strain. Further- gram into the formation of the Center if you are using more than one system more, using only one monitor also will for Health Applications of Aerospace at your desk, you probably cannot sit save money and energy costs. Related Technologies (CHAART) at straight in front of both systems. This There are several different models Ames in 1995. CHAART’s purpose was may result in eye, back, wrist or other of KVMs including a wireless model as to expand disease modeling to other bodily strains resulting in ergonomic vector-borne maladies such as Lyme well as models that can control more disease, leishmaniasis, filariasis and injuries. than two computers. Employees inter- schistosomiasis. In the course of her An inexpensive $25 hardware ested in learning more about KVMs work with CHAART, Beck traveled ex- device called a ‘Keyboard, Video may contact Paul Grams at e-mail tensively throughout the world. Monitor, Mouse’ (KVM) switch en- [email protected] for further in- Beck was a pioneer in the area of ables the computer user to select one formation. public health and landscape epidemiol- keyboard, video monitor and mouse BY PAUL GRAMS

Astrogram 13 November 2004 Events Calendar Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of each Mohlenhoff, ext. 4-2523/e-mail at: The Hispanic Advisory Committee for month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC: [email protected]. Excellence HACE Mtg, first Thurs of month in N255 Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262. room 101C from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. POC: Eric Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, Kristich at ext. 4-5137 and Mark Leon at ext. 4-6498. Ames Ballroom Dance Club. Classes on Tuesdays. third Wednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Bldg. Beginning classes meet at 5:15 p.m. Higher-level class 221, Rm 104. Guests welcome. Info at: http:// Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. to 1 meets at 5:50 p.m. Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. www.afeu.org. POC: Marianne Mosher, ext. 4-4055. p.m., N-269/Rm.179. POC: Becky Brondos at ext. 4- POC: Helen Hwang at [email protected], ext. 4- 1959, [email protected] or Bob Hilton at Ames Mac Support Group Mtg, third Tuesday of 1368. ext. 4-1500, [email protected]. ea. month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N262, Rm 180. Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesday POC: Julie ext. 4-4694 or Tony ext. 4-0340. Nat'l Association of Retired Federal Employees, nights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes. (NARFE). Former and current federal employees. Your Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlled Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. only contact with Congress. Join to protect your aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. on weekend federal retirement. In December, the meeting is at Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg, mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, ext. 4-6193. Harry’s Hofbrau, Santa Clara, for the Annual GALA every other Thursday (check Web site for meeting dates: Ames Sailing Club Mtg, second Thursday of ea. Christmas lunch and program. Chptr #50 will then http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., N-210, month (Feb through Nov), from 11.30 a.m. -1 p.m. in meet on the first Fri. of each month at HomeTown Rm. 205. POC: Cheryl Quinn, ext 4-5793. the special events room in the Ames Visitor Center in N- Buffet, 2670 El Camino (at Kiely), S. Clara, 11 a.m. Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesday 223. All are welcome. POC: Jeff Smith, ext. 4-2586. lunch. POC Earl Keener (408) 241-4459 or NARFE 1- each month, 11 a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: Anita 800-627-3394. Environmental, Health and Safety Information Fogtman, ext. 4-4432. Forum, first Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 Native American Advisory Committee Mtg, Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12 noon a.m., Bldg. 221/Rm 155. URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/ fourth Tues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19, to 1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun room. Support events/EHSseries/ POC: Stacy St. Louis at ext. 4-6810. Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. group discusses news affecting diabetics. POC: Bob Spooky folks haunt Ames The annual Halloween costume con- top right) for its test occured at Ames on Oct. 29, held in youngsters on Oct. 29. the Mega Bites cafeteria. Many employ-

NASA photos by Tom Trower

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

ees participated, wearing all sorts of interesting, unique and fancy costumes. The Ames Exchange sponsored the Protective Services monthly activity events, also providing free refreshments. A statistical summary of activities Protection Services units for the The Ames Childcare Center also held a Halloween parade (see photos of the Protective Services Division's month of October 2004 is shown be- Security/Law Enforcement and Fire low.

Security/Law Enforcement Activity Fire Protection Activity

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

Astrogram 14 November 2004 Ames Classifieds Exchange Information ‘92 Honda Accord LX Sedan 4D, 109K mls, Information about products, services and Ads for the next issue should be sent to automatic, air, pwr doors and windows, complete opportunities provided to the employee and contractor [email protected] and must be resubmitted for record of scheduled maintenance w/dealer, orig. community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit the each issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no owner, well maintained, gd cond., Kelley Blue Book web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space- price $3,500 or B/O. Call (650) 996-9851. available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. Ads Beyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) must include home phone numbers; Ames extensions and ‘92 Mercedes 190E, 2.6L-6cyl, 4D (white), Beyond Galileo email addresses will be accepted for carpool and lost and 144,336 mls, automatic, A/C, pwr steering, pwr locks, ext. 4-6873 found ads only. Due to the volume of material received, seats and windows, AM/FM/cassette, 4-wheel ABS, Ask about NASA customized gifts for special we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statements sunroof, leather, allow wheels. $3,800. Call (925) 455- occasions. Make your reservations for Chase Park made in the ads. Caveat emptor! 4580. ‘02 Ford F150 long bed pickup (white), 4,800 Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Housing miles!, automatic, V8-4.6 liter, 2 wheel drive, A/C, 4- ext. 4-5969 For rent: Mtn. View. Upstairs rental, 2b/1 ba., wheel ABS, AM/FM/cassette, running boards. See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov hardwood floors, garage, patio and priv. laundry room. Immaculate condition. $13,500. Call (925) 455-4580. $1,375 mo. Call (650) 967-0420 or (650) 302-7550. Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943 For rent: Mtn. View. house, 2bd/1 ba, attached (10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412 garage, large fenced backyard, hardwood floors, stove, refrig, W/D. Pets OK. $1,575 mo. Call (650) 967-0420 or NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and (650) 302-7550. Safety Data educational items. Shared housing room for rent in excellent, Los Altos Civil Contractors Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) area near Ames. Share w/prof'l males/females. Large Servants ext. 4-6873 house, yard w/gardener. W/D, partly furnished, N/S, pets, $540/mo plus dep. and 1/4 utils. Call (650) 964-2913 or Not recordable Check web site for discounts to local attractions, (408) 243-7750. first aid cases 0 2 http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets. For rent: Mtn. View house. 1,200 sq ft, 3 bd/2 ba. NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 Landscaped bk and frnt yard (gardener incl), patio area. Recordable no Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates Two-car garage, W/D, D/W, new over-range micro- from $40 - $50. convection oven. Located 2 mls from Ames near Shoreline lost time cases 0 3 and Central Expressway (10 min. bike ride to Ames). Vacation Opportunities $2,400/mo. Call (650) 283-9060. Lost time cases* 0 1 Looking for house to rent in Mtn. View in Jan/Feb, 3 Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba, bdrm, w/fenced yard (for dog), and garage, in safe area for View of slopes, close to lifts. Per night: $250, two two children. Also have cats. Can afford $1,700 per Restricted duty days 0 0 night minimum. Includes linens, cleaning, propane month. I work at Ames. [email protected] fireplace, fully equipped. Call (650) 968-4155, [email protected] Lost work days 0 2 Miscellaneous South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace, The Ames Cat Network needs help finding homes for hot tub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650) cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral to Data above is as of 10/28/04. May 967-7659 or (650) 704-7732. abandoned/lost pets. Tested, altered and inoculated. Call be subject to slight adjustment in the Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 4 mls south of Iris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are Yosemite. 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, interested in fostering or adopting a cat. event of a new case or new inform- priv. boat dock. Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) Ready to fly Xtra Easy 2 (XE2) gas model airplane. ation regarding an existing case. 642-3600 or (650) 390-9668. Flown twice; never wrecked! Includes airplane and all Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba equipment needed to fly it: 5 channel multi-data computer Note: Under new OSHA rules, lost time house in canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access controller; man'l fuel pump; 1.2v NiCad glow plug battery to priv. beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between w/AC adpter; 12v pwr starter; 12v battery and charger; is defined as lost work days, restricted Carmel and Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 field box for equipmnt/tool storage. $350 or B/O. Call duty or job transfer. and $250 for more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (408) 422-1572. (650) 328-4427. Bicycle, 1997 Vision Recumbent, model VR42, 21 Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees, speed, rear rack, wheel size 20î front and 26î rear, $650 or deck. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding, B/O. Call (408) 863-0835. $280 wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134. 'Crate & Barrel' pine kitchen table with fold-down sides Astrogram deadlines Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to & four chairs with wicker seats. Call for pics. Great golf, tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk condition. $200. Call (408) 295-2160. Deadline: Publication: to beach. Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. Ethan Allen maple headboard and footboard and Cal Nov. 30 Dec 2004 Call (408) 799-4052 or (831) 623-4054. king mattress and springs, exc. condition. Paid $2,500 for Dec. 31 Jan. 2005 Incline Village: Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo, both. Asking $500 or B/O. Ann (408) 248-1985 or e-mail 3 bd/2ba, sleeps 8. Fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD, MW, [email protected] All Ames employees are invited to submit W/D, jacuzzi, sauna, pool. Walk to Lake, close to ski Refrigerator: whirlpool, almond xcllnt condition. $150 articles relating to Ames projects and activities for areas. Visit Web page for pictures: http:// or B/O; double futon mattress xcllnt cond. $35 or B/O publication in the Astrogram. When submitting www.ACruiseStore.com. $120/night low season, [email protected] Call (408) 255-2301. stories or ads for publication, submit your mate- $155/night high season (holidays higher) plus $156 cleaning fee and 12% Nevada room tax. Charlie rial, along with any questions, in MS word by e- Computer desk, two file drawers, tower storage, pull (650) 355-1873. out keyboard holder, medium brown, exc. condition, $100. mail to: [email protected] on or be- Call (408) 732-7080. fore the deadline. Disneyland area vacation rental home, 2 bd/ 1ba. Nearing completion completely remodeled w/ Artificial Christmas tree, 8', fir, green, very full and new furniture. Sleeps 6 (queen bed, bunk beds, lifelike. Stand included. Orig price $200., asking $75. Call sleeper sofa). Air hockey and football tables. (925) 427-4146 Introductory rate $600/wk, once completed rate will Michelin Symmetry premium all-season radial tires, size Ames emergency be $1000/wk. Security deposit and $100 cleaning 225/60TR16, load index: 98T. Used only 800 miles, perfect fee required. Call (925) 846-2781. cond. Set of 4, $260. Call (510) 489-6030. announcements Ski Park City Utah, NASA Ski Week XIV, Feb 5 - Peg Perego dual stroller. Top of the line! Excellent 12, 2005. Space limited. E-mail Steve at e-mail condition, no stains or tears. $175. Call (510) 489-6030. To hear the centerwide status [email protected] or call (408) 432-0135. recording, call (650) 604-9999 for New York, 5th Ave. One fully furnished Transportation information announcements and bedroom in 24 hour security bldg. overlooking Washington Square Park, $1,000/wk or $3,000/mo. ‘79 Volvo 242, 2 dr, brick red in color, volvo w/stndrd emergency instructions for Ames negotiable. Call (650) 349-0238. 4 spd, sun-rf. About 128K mls, in decent shape; very employees. You can also listen to reliable w/some modificatins: Boge gas struts and lowering Paris/France: Fully furnished studio, 5th Arr, springs, after market 15" mag wheels, Blaupunkt stereo 1700 KHz AM radio for the same Latin Quarter, Notre Dame and Ile-St. Louis.$1,400/ (am/fm, cass.) w/six spker system. Recent clutch information. wk. negotiable Call (650) 349-0238. replacement. $900 or B/O. Kevin (408) 723-2115.

Astrogram 15 November 2004 Food and Toy Drive McKay speaks on human exploration

Nov 29 thru Dec 10 Ames’ Chris McKay speaks recently at the Center about human exploration, biology All non-perishable food items and the future of Mars. He also explored and unwrapped toys may be the biological issues that concern the new dropped off at the Ames Cafe dur- human exploration mission. ing the period of Nov. 29 through Dec. 10. Your support is greatly ap- preciated. Fo r additional info con- tact Angela Ortega at ext. 4-1733

NASA photo by Dominic Hart Collective Intelligence continued from page 3 NACA Reunion XI derstanding of collective intelligence," The eleventh reunion for indi- of this year, then you should contact Wolpert said. "In economics, you have viduals employed by the federal gov- the NACA Reunion XI organizing many, many individuals with separate ernment in the National Advisory committee either by e-mail at goals. In a physics system like a gas you Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) [email protected], by tele- have many, many molecules, which can phone at ext. 4-1032 or by letter to the be viewed as if they all have separate following address and the informa- goals. The commonalities of how you tion will be provided to you: control an economy and how you con- trol a gas -- that commonality is the field NACA Reunion XI of collective intelligence," he explained. NASA Ames Research Center The collective intelligence develop- Mail Stop 207-1 ment effort includes NASA Ames, is scheduled to be hosted by NASA Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., and Ames in the Fall of 2005 on Sept. 30, Oxford University, Oxford,BY United JOHN King-BLUCK Oct. 1 and 2. The committee looks forward to dom. If you are a member of this group seeing you at this gathering to cel- and have not received the letter of ebrate the 47th anniversary of the tran- invitation mailed in late September sition from the NACA to NASA.

FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE & FEES PAID NASA National Aeronautics and Space Ad- Permit No. G-27 ministration

Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

Official Business Penalty for Private Use

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Editor-in-Chief...... David Morse Managing Editor...... Ann Sullivan Editor, Layout and Design...... Astrid Terlep

You can reach the Astrogram Office at: [email protected] or by phone at PLEASE RECYCLE (650) 604-3347. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

Astrogram 16 November 2004